Switch-operating device



J. E. L. BL KIVIORE.

SWITCH OPER EVICE. APPLICATION m .21, 19h.

1,63,550 Patented Dec. 28, 1920.

INVENTOR.

- 0Y0 BLACKMORE,

ATTORNEY.

JOHN ERVIN LLOYD BLACIKMQRE, 0F DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL MOTORS COMIPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION @F NEW JERSEY.

swircn-ornnarine DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 21, 1917. Serial No. 163,631.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN ERVIN LLOYD BLACKMORE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of Detroit, Wayne county, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Operating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to switch operating devices, and more particularly to a contact closing device, which is provided with means which will permit it to be operated efficiently when thrust in various different directions.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an electric contact closmg mechanism with means which may be efliciently and easily operated manually in various different ways.

Another object of this invention is to provide a contact closing mechanism especially adapted for use in motor vehicles tor operating warning signals, the mechanism being provided with an actuatingmeans which may be struck or thrust in various difierent directions.

These, and various other objects, will more clearly appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, with portions broken away, of an assembly of a preferred form of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of an assembly similar to Fig. 1; and

Figs. 3 to 12 inclusive, illustrate details of various parts of the assembly.

Referring to the drawings, 10 illustrates a base or plug member, a contracted end 11 of which is adapted to be inserted in a boss 12 of a suitable supporting arm 13. These parts may have a pressed fit with the shoulder 14 of the plug resting against the upper surface of the bossv12. The base member 10 and the arm 11 which are preferably formed of metal, may be grounded or suitably connected to one side of the electric circuit which is to be operated.

An insulated cylindrical bushing 15 preferably of fiber may be inserted in the lower end 11 of the member 10, and secured in position as by a pin 16. A contact button or electrode 17 may be centrally located on the bushing 15 in electrical connection with a conductor 18 which may also be suitably connected to the opposite side of the elec trical circuit and is provided with an insulated covering 19.

Another cylindrical bushing 20 formed or" an insulating material, may be arranged in the opening 21 of the base member resting on the button 17.

A metallic collar 22 may be placed on the bushing 20 and a metallic actuating pin or plunger 23 is adapted to be slidably mounted in the interior 24 of the bushing 20 with a spring 25 between the bottom of the spherical tip 26 andthecollar 22 for normally maintaining the lower end of the plunger out of contact with the button v17.

A push button or dome shaped cap 27, having a circular inturned flange 28 formed adjacent its periphery, is adapted to be placed over theupper end of the plunger on the base member for housing the parts mounted therein. 1

Means for securing the cap 27 to the base in tiltable relation, is provided in the form of a splitresilient metallic ring 39, which is sprung into position between the flared outer end 40 of the base member and the peripheral flange 28 of the cap.

With the parts in the described relation the circuit may be closed by thrusting the cap downwardly or by pushing or thrusting it laterally in any direction. F or instance, if the cap is struck near its periphery it will move toward the base on a fulcrum point,

1 formed between the peripheral flange of the cap, the ring 39, and the flared portion of 1 the base at a point opposite where the cap is struck, and of course as the cap is moved on the fulcrum point the plunger will be pushed downwardly in a straight direction.

It will be noted that I have provided a Patented Dec. 23, 1923.

' reciprocating metallicplunger operating in' those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made without de arting from the spirit and scope hereof.

. aving thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters I atent is: I

1. In an electric switch of the class described, a hollow base member; a bushinglocated within said base member and having a passage extending therethrough; a reciprocating plunger operating in the'passage in said bushing and comprising a contact; a spring acting upon said plunger to force the same upward; a second contact located within said base member and which contact upper end of said plunger; and means lo-' cated adjacent the lower edge of said dome and engaging said base member for holding the said dome and base member in assembled relationwith one another.

2-. ,In anelectric switch ofthe class described, a hollow metallic base member; a fixed electrode located within the lower portion of said base member and insulated therefrom; a bushing formed of insulating material located within said base member and having a passage extending 'therethrough; a

the passage in said bushing; a sprlng acting upon said plunger to force the same upwardly; a dome shaped cap inclosing the upper end ofsaid base member and the inner surface of which contacts with the upper end of said plunger; and cooperating holding members one adjacent the upper end of said base member and the other adjacent the lower edge of said dome shaped cap and which members act to hold said cap in assembled relation with said base.

3. In an electric switch of the class described, a hollow metallic base member having a peripherally extending flange adjacent its upper end; a bushing formed of insulating material located within said base member and having a passage extending therethrough; a reciprocatin metallic plunger operating in the passage 1n said bushing and which plunger comprises a contact; a spring acting upon said plunger to force the same upward; a second contact located within said base member and which contact is normally separate from said plunger contact, said contacts being adapted to be brought into engagement with one another by movement of said plunger; a dome shaped cap inclosing the upper end of said base memberand the inner surface of which contacts with the upper end of said plunger; and means'adjacent the free edge of said dome and engaging the flange aforesaid at the upper end of said base for holding said dome in assembled relation with said base.

4. In an electric switch of the class described, a hollow metallic base member having a peripherally extending flange at its upper end; a fixed electrode located within the lower portion of said base member and insulated therefrom; a bushing formed of insulating material located within said base member and having a passage extending therethrough; a reciprocating metallic plunger operating in the passage in said bushing; a spring acting upon said plunger to force the same upwardly; a dome shaped'cap inclosing the upper end of said metallic base member and the inner surface of which contacts with the upper end of said plunger; and means adjacent the free edge of said dome and engaging the flange aforesaid at the upper end of said base member for holding said dome in assembled relation with said base.

5. In an electric, switch of the class described, a hollow base member having a peripherally extending-flange at its upper end; a dome shaped capinclosing the upper end of said base member and the lower end of which extends beneath the flange aforesaid;

-an expansible holding ring located within the lower end of said dome shaped cap and which ring lies beneath the flange aforesaid when the parts are assembled; a reciprocating plunger located within said hollow base member and the upper end of which is in engagement with the inner surface of said dome, and which plunger comprises a contact; and a second contact located within said base member and which contact is normally separated from said plunger contact, said two contacts being adapted to be brought into engagementwith one another by movement of said plunger.

6. In an electric switch of the class described, a hollow metallic base member having a peripherally extending flange at its upper end; a domeshaped cap inclosing the upperend'of said base member and the lower edge of which lies adjacent the flange afore-.

said and is provided with an internal groove; an expansible holding ring located within said groove and lying beneath the flange aforesaid when the parts are assembled; a bushing formed from insulating material located within said base member and having a passage extending therethrough; a reciprocating metallic plunger operating in the passage in said bushing and the upper end of 1 which is in engagement with the inner surface of said dome; a spring acting upon said plunger to force the same upw'ardly;and an insulated electrode located within said base member and adapted to be engaged by the lower end of said plunger upon downward movement thereof.

means and above said first mentioned bushin and above said disk, and which last mentloned bushing is provided with a passage extending therethrough; a reciprocating metallic plunger operating in the passage in said sec ond mentioned bushing, and the lower end of which plunger is adapted to contact with 1 said disk; a spring acting upon said plunger to force the same upwardly; and adome shaped cap member inclosed at the upper end of said metallic base member and which cap member is in engagement with said plunger to thereby operate the same.

8. In an electric switch of the class described, a hollow metallicbase member; a bushing formed from insulating material secured in place within the lower portion of said base member; a disk supported by said bushing and which disk forms an electrode;

a second bushing formed from insulating material located within said base member and above said first mentioned bushin and above said disk, and which last mentloned bushing is provided with a passage extending therethrough; a reciprocating metallic plunger operating in the passage in said second mentioned bushing, and the lower end of which plunger is adapted to contact with said disk; a spring acting upon saidplunger to force the same upwardly; a, dome shaped cap member inclosing the upper end of said metallic base member and which cap member is in operative engagement with said plunger; and means adjacent the lower end of said cap member for holding same in assembled relation with said base.

9; In combination, a base, a stationary contact having an insulated mounting thereon, a plunger contact similarly mounted thereon and separated from said first contact, an operating button tiltably mounted on said base and a resilient ring for securing said button in position to said base.

In testimonywhereof I aflix my signature. 

